Drug interactions
Propofol + Propranolol
Severity: Moderate
Propofol and Propranolol: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Propofol causes vasodilation and myocardial depression, and propranolol blunts compensatory heart rate and contractility responses. This can lead to pronounced hypotension and bradycardia during induction or sedation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Propofol and Propranolol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Propofol belongs to Central Nervous System; Propranolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic cardiovascular depression and blunted compensatory sympathetic response.
What to do
Titrate propofol slowly and monitor blood pressure and heart rate continuously. Have vasopressors and anticholinergics available for bradycardia.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Propranolol
- Propranolol + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Propranolol Major
- Adrenaline-articaine + Propranolol Major
- Amifostine + Propranolol Major
- Amiodarone + Propranolol Major
- Arformoterol + Propranolol Major
Other interactions of Propofol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Propofol with Propranolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Propofol and Propranolol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Propofol causes vasodilation and myocardial depression, and propranolol blunts compensatory heart rate and contractility responses. This can lead to pronounced hypotension and bradycardia during induction or sedation.
How serious is the interaction between Propofol and Propranolol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate propofol slowly and monitor blood pressure and heart rate continuously. Have vasopressors and anticholinergics available for bradycardia.
What other medicines interact with Propranolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Propranolol with, for example, Thioridazine, Acebutolol, Adrenaline-articaine. The full list is on the Propranolol page.
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